Underwater lights reflect off the tiles, giving them an ethereal, blue glow in the darkness. A mist rises above the water where warm meets cold. Strong arms cut, almost silently through the water, the noise coming only from the ripples hitting the side.
I should leave, but I find I’m rooted to the spot. Watching Jax swim is mesmerising. It always has been.
In the sea, I could not see his true form, the gentle tilt and sway of his body, the flexing of his muscles. My skin grows hot despite the coolness of the two AM air.
I drop myself onto one of the sun loungers and watch. Drawing my legs up and under my long dress, protecting them against the chill in the air.
Jax continues up and down. The man is a machine. I don’t know how long he’s been going, but he shows no sign of stopping. Until he does.
His hands come up and grip the sides, instead of performing another perfect tumble turn.
He drops his head back in the water before ripping off his goggles and placing them on the side.
I sink back against the bed.
“What are you doing here, Kat?” he asks without looking at me.
I lean forward and hug my knees.
“I went for a walk and heard someone in the pool. It’s dangerous to swim alone, especially at night after you’ve been drinking.”
He turns his head, water trailing from his hair down his face.
He smiles.
“I had two drinks, as you well know. As for swimming alone, I’ve been doing this since the beginning.”
He rests his palms on the side of the pool and pulls himself out in one swift movement. Most people would be incapable of doing so after the gruelling swim he’s just put his muscles through, but there isn’t even a wobble.
Smooth skin appears, only snug trunks preserving his dignity.
He steps forward and grabs the towel from the end of the sun lounger next to me.
“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“You?”
He ignores my question, picking up another towel and wiping the droplets running down his face, before towel-drying his hair.
The wind begins to pick up, a sign that a storm might be coming in. The weatherman predicted one was on the way.
The first large drop of rain hits, then another and another. Unlike in the Maldives, this rain is icy cold, enough to steal my breath.
I jump up, grab Jax’s clothes and run barefoot towards the summerhouse at the end of the pool. When Eli took up swimming, Mum and Dad had it built so he and his friends could shower and get changed here instead of dripping all over the house.
I grab the key from under the plant pot. After the door got left open last summer, and the glass smashed in the wind, Mum hada lock installed. Now we are all under strict instructions to lock up after ourselves.
My body tingles as Jax appears at my back. I throw open the door, as the heavens open and the first flash of lightning hits, followed quickly by a roll of thunder.
We step inside. The atmosphere is cool, but at least we’re dry. I close the door, ensuring I hear the click as the handle engages.
The sauna and steam room lights glow in the darkness, letting me know they’re on. Not surprising, as Elijah and Gabriel have been home all week and swim daily. Little Callum takes after his dad and uncle, and is a total water baby even in the winter months.
“That was close,” I say.
Jax laughs. “I’m already wet, so a little bit of rain wasn’t going to scare me off.”
